THE National Lottery is seeking the winner of an unclaimed lottery prize that could change someone’s life – advertising a “once in a lifetime vacancy” for the right person in today’s Argus with a “one-off salary” of £612,749.

Draw organisers are trying to find an unknown jackpot winner from Gwent, and have placed a spoof advert in the recruitment section of today’s Argus in a bid to get them to come forward.

South Wales Argus: LOCAL WINNER: The Lottery ‘job’ advert

LOCAL WINNER: The Lottery ‘job’ advert

The advert, entitled “Lottery Jackpot Winner Wanted’, claims a “life-changing role” has been created after someone who bought their ticket matched six main numbers – 2,4,7,27,43 and 44 – on August 10.

It goes on to say: “The successful candidate must be committed to enjoying the life-changing win and will be responsible for rapidly acquiring a good working knowledge of the finer things in life.

“An ability to spend and save well, either independently or alongside friends and family, would also be advantageous.”

Lottery staff hit on the quirky idea after a £50,000 prize belonging to a ticket-holder in Bridgend also went unclaimed earlier this year.

Spokesman Patrick Lisoire said appeals for people to check and see if they have won were usually very successful.

“But someone in the Newport area has still not come forward,”

he added.

It is the first time the ‘job’ advert has been used in Wales, having only been used once in Oxfordshire and once in Hammersmith before.

The London jackpot, which was a £1million EuroMillions prize, still went unclaimed, however.

“It is very rare that prizes go unclaimed, but it can happen,” Mr Lisoire added.

“But we are not saying where in Newport the ticket was bought because if it was bought in a small community we could compromise that person’s anonymity.”

Potential winners have until February 6 to claim their prize by calling 0845 910 0000 and presenting the winning ticket.